Sands Steps Aside, Bowe to Assume BHA Presidency

Tuesday, 14 December 2010 07:55
News Editor

Having served as President of the Bahamas Hotel Association longer than any other individual since the organization was established fifty-eight years ago, Robert 'Sandy' Sands thanked BHA members at their recent Annual General Meeting as he stepped aside as President to make way for a new leadership team which assumes office at the turn of the year.

BHA members elected Stuart Bowe, Senior Vice President for Kerzner International, as their 2011 President. Bowe brings to BHA over 20 years of hotel management and leadership experience, presently overseeing the operations of 1116 rooms as General Manager for the Coral and Beach Towers.

The new President will be joined by a core leadership team, also elected at the meeting, who will guide the affairs of the 220 member organization over the coming year. Assuming the post as Senior Vice President will be Stephen Kappeler, General Manager for the Cape Eleuthera Resort and Yacht Club. The new Vice President representing Nassau-Paradise Island hotels will be Pablo Torres, General Manager for the British Colonial Hilton.

Vice President for the Out Island Hotels is Shavonne Darville, Owner of Gems at Paradise on Long Island. Michael Weber, Managing Director for the Radisson at Our Lucaya will serve as Vice President for Grand Bahama. Peter Maguire from the Lyford Cay Club was re-elected as Treasurer. Frank Comito will continue as Executive Vice President and Corporate Secretary.

These members will serve on the organization's Executive Committee, along with outgoing President Sandy Sands.

Commenting on the election, President-Elect Bowe stated "I am honoured to have been selected by my peers to assume the post as President. BHA has played an invaluable role in the development of our industry and our nation and I look forward to continuing in that tradition, working closely with our new leadership team and drawing upon the input and support of our members".

He added, "I want to thank President Sands and this year's leadership for their commitment and dedication to our industry. We will build on their good work".

Over the coming weeks Bowe will round out the Executive Committee with several key appointments to provide additional input on key areas of importance to the organization. The new leadership team officially assumes its duties at the start of the new year.